HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS SCREENING ON WORLD TB DAY

Wed March 14, 2012

DUPAGE COUNTY-TheDuPage County Health Department is using World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on Saturday, March 24, to encourage people to be screened for TB if they in high-risk groups or they provide services to people who are in high-risk groups.

Although TB is both preventable and curable, each year nearly two million people die of the disease. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but usually the lungs.

The number of TB cases has been declining in recent years, but the Health Department reminds residents that the fight against tuberculosis is not over.

High-risk groups include:

Those who have had close contact with persons known or suspected of having TB.

Foreign-born persons where TB has a high prevalence, such as countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Or individuals who travel to those areas.

Medically under-served or low-income populations with risk factors. High-risk racial or ethnic minorities, particularly those with recent travel to international locations with high rates of untreated TB diseases. Those groups include Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, African Americans, Native Americans and migrant workers.

Children exposed to adults in high-risk groups.

Persons who inject illicit drugs.

Those recently infected with TB, or who have a history of inadequate TB treatment. Those who have HIV infection or another condition that suppresses the immune system and therefore puts them at high risk for TB if exposed.

Health care workers who serve high-risk clients such as those mentioned above.